Paddling in Walton County - A visitor's experience

As I put my paddle in the water for the first time I am overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the Western Lake bordered by crystal white sand dunes on one side and tall golden grass on the other side. There is a slight breeze that moves the rental kayak along making paddling easy. I lazily slide through the calm water. Much to my delight a large Labrador swims out to greet me and together we head toward the southernmost end of the lake.

The Labrador and I join up with two vacationing ladies, Patty and Marie, from Kentucky. As the four of us round a bend I was surprised to see that the lake and the Gulf were only a short skip apart. I moved my kayak onto the shore, while Patty and Marie walked their kayaks across the short stretch of sand to the aqua green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As my new friends slide into the waves, I witness the excitement of a family cheering on two of their members who were reeling in two very large Cobia fish. Taking in the scene I noticed that on both sides of me cars and trucks had parked next to the lapping surf, and again I was amazed at the striking beauty of this wonderful place.

I returned to my kayak and continued on my adventure. With the white sand behind me I moved my kayak closer to the tall golden grass. The grass seemed to be so perfectly placed that I thought God must have placed each blade by hand. Each bend in the lake seemed to be calling me to explore it, and each bend continued to amaze me with its natural beauty. At one point I lifted my paddles onto my lap, shut my eyes and listened to what seemed to be the calls of many different species of birds, as my kayak drifted on the gentle current.

My great Walton County kayaking adventure was drawing close to an end, but I promised myself I would return to this lake with my family, and kayak across the lake to the sandy shores of the Gulf where we would enjoy a picnic lunch.

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